Page 117 of The Truth of Us

He barked out a laugh. "You can’t get rid of me with a shitty kiss."

I shoved his shoulder, and he grinned. Some of the tension I had been carrying loosened inside me. I think a part of me had wished it would work out with Oliver because it would be easy. But if I really wanted what my parents had, I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

We sat there for another moment, neither of us moving. Then Oliver smiled sadly and said, "For what it's worth, I think anyone would be lucky to be loved by you."

I shook my head, not sure how true that was, and reached for the door handle.

"Goodnight, Oli."

"Goodnight, Harp."

I climbed out of the car and stood on the sidewalk until he pulled away.

The townhouse felt quiet when I walked inside. I kicked off my heels, dropped my clutch onto the entry table, and made it halfway up the stairs before I heard the front door open again.

"Harper?"

I turned, and my father stood in the foyer, his tie loosened and his jacket draped over his arm. For a second, he looked less like a Montgomery and more like the man who used to carry me upstairs when I fell asleep watching movies.

"You're home."

He smiled. "I told you I wouldn't be long."

I descended the stairs before I could stop myself and wrapped my arms around him. He held me close. After a long moment, he kissed the top of my head, asking, "Oliver?"

I laughed softly. "We're better off as friends."

His shoulders visibly relaxed, but he still asked, "You didn't like him?"

"I adore Oliver."

"But?"

I closed my eyes. "But I didn't feel it when he kissed me."

The silence that followed wasn't judgment; it was understanding.

My father sighed softly. "Ah."

I laughed despite myself. "That's all you have to say?"

He smiled. "My angel, I knew your mother for a moment in time before I ruined both our lives."

That startled a laugh out of me. "What?"

He shrugged, saying, "I fell in love with her immediately; I just knew."

The ache in my chest expanded. "Dad?"

"Yes?"

I looked down at our joined hands. "Do you think Mom ever regretted it?"

"Regret what?" he asked.

"Choosing love."

The answer came so quickly I almost missed it. "Not for a second."